Apport du SIG pour l’étude de la pollution sonore dans le Campus Universitaire Abdelhafid Boussouf (Mila)

Abstract

Noise pollution has become a major public health issue in Algeria due to its intensification and growing impacts on quality of life, population health, and ecosystem balance. This study aims to assess the spatial and temporal distribution of noise pollution on the Abdelhafid Boussouf University campus (Mila) and to analyze its perceived impacts by the university community. It consists of two complementary parts: the first involves measuring noise pollution levels at 30 geolocated points on the campus using the mobile application "Noise Capture," with data collected over ten campaigns spanning five months at different times of the day. The spatial and temporal analysis of these data was performed using ArcGIS software, enabling precise mapping of noise distribution across the campus. The second part is based on a field survey conducted among the university community, aiming to gather perceptions and feelings related to the campus sound environment. The study’s results reveal noise levels on campus ranging from 53 to 136 decibels, far exceeding the WHO recommended limit. Significant noise pollution was especially observed during the morning peak at 11:00 a.m., where authorized thresholds were frequently surpassed. The most affected areas are the main west entrance and the campus central lounge. Additionally, notable variations in noise levels were observed throughout the week, with peaks on Mondays and Tuesdays coinciding with high campus attendance linked to the resumption of academic activities and the massive influx of students. The noise pollution survey among the university population shows that 95% of participants perceive noise pollution as disturbing to their psychological comfort and concentration. Overall, this modest study highlights the concerning nature of noise pollution on the Mila university campus, representing a major issue directly impacting the well-being of the university population and the quality of the educational environment. These findings emphasize the urgent need to implement effective acoustic management strategies to ensure a healthy, calm, and conducive learning environment for academic success.